Celtics hoping to close out Bulls and get some needed rest

Boston can advance to the second round with a Game 6 win in Chicago rather than be forced into a Game 7 situation at home on Saturday.

By Jim Fenton

The Patriot Ledger, Quincy, MA

By Jim Fenton

Posted Apr. 30, 2009 at 12:01 AM
Updated Apr 30, 2009 at 9:37 PM

By Jim Fenton

Posted Apr. 30, 2009 at 12:01 AM
Updated Apr 30, 2009 at 9:37 PM

WALTHAM

» Social News

All of the drama, the twists and turns, the overtime periods and the critical last-second shots are taking their toll.

The opening-round playoff series between the Boston Celtics and the Chicago Bulls has become a nerve-wracking experience to be part of and to witness.

“So many people I’ve encountered throughout the week have told me they’ve almost had to be admitted to the hospital after watching us play,’’ said Celtics guard Ray Allen.

Five games into the best-of-seven series, there have been three overtime games, including one that went two extra sessions. It marks the first time in NBA history three games went into OT in a series.

The margin of victory has been two points in a pair of games, and two others have been decided by three points. A Game 3 blowout by the Celtics is the only non-thriller in the group.

It is shaping up as a classic postseason series that has become must-watch because of the fantastic endings.

Coach Doc Rivers, whose team owns a 3-2 lead, can do without all the dramatics that have brought the series to the forefront in the NBA.

“No, I hate this series,’’ said Rivers on Wednesday afternoon. “I’m going to look back and think this was a hellish series, win or lose.

“This has been a brutal series, not just the intensity but the manpower that we have or don’t have. It’s made this very, very difficult. Maybe years later, I will (enjoy it), but right now, this is as tough a series that I’ve been in because of the manpower. It’s been very difficult for us.’’

The shorthanded Celtics have played long minutes to gain an edge in a series they can close out tonight in Game 6 at the United Center (7:05, TV: Comcast SportsNet and TNT; Radio: WEEI-850 AM). A loss brings the series back to Boston for Game 7 on Saturday.

Already lacking depth because of injuries to Kevin Garnett and Leon Powe, the Celtics are getting little help from the bench.

Those two factors, coupled with three overtime games, has meant a lot of playing time for Rajon Rondo (44:21 per game), Paul Pierce (43:24), Glen Davis (41:13), Kendrick Perkins (38:15) and Allen (37:05).

The Celtics are a team in need of rest, and clinching the series tonight would earn them some before the second round against either the Orlando Magic or Philadelphia 76ers. The next round is scheduled to begin next Monday.

Before departing for Chicago on Wednesday afternoon, the Celtics gathered at their training facility and did little. Pierce, who played 52:08 and 50:40, received treatment after being kicked in the leg and got a massage, then hopped on a plane.

“This is what we’re in,’’ said Rivers of the hefty minutes. “There’s just no way around it, and we can’t make an excuse about it, and that’s what I tell our guys.

Page 2 of 2 - “We’re playing a lot of minutes. We use the statement about victims all the time: You’re only a victim if you act like one. We just can’t act like one right now.’’

Pierce, who sat out just 2:20 in Tuesday night’s sensational 106-104 OT victory in Game 5, said the extra workload is not hampering him.

“You’ve got to understand, this is nothing,’’ he said. “When we grew up playing basketball, you may have played three or four games in one day.

“You play this many minutes, what Doc is doing for us on off days is saving our legs. I do a good job of getting my rest. At some point, when you’re in a close game and it’s the playoffs, it’s mental. You don’t really think about it.’’

The Bulls, playing without Luol Deng, are in the same situation. Coach Vinny Del Negro is basically using a seven-man rotation with Brad Miller and Kirk Hinrich getting most of the playing time off the bench.

Ben Gordon (45:20), John Salmons (42:08) and Derrick Rose (42:07) are all playing better than 40 minutes, and Gordon went 50:48 on a strained hamstring in Game 5.

In addition to dealing with the extra physical load, the Celtics and Bulls are coping with the mental aspect of having to play physical games that go into overtime and come down to the final second.

“It’s definitely one of the most physically and mentally draining series that I’ve probably ever been a part of,’’ said Pierce. “Besides the one blowout game, it’s been two-point games, three-point games and no team is showing any separation.

“You’ve always got to expect the playoffs to be tough. You really didn’t expect to have three overtimes. You knew it was going to be a tough series, especially with the way the Bulls were playing down the stretch of the regular season.

“We knew they’d be a tough opponent. Hopefully, we can end this in the next game. This has been a great series from a players standpoint and definitely for the fans.’’